La Cage; ne cherchez plus mon cœur, les bêtes l’ont mangé 2018

Editor: We’re looking at Sandra Chevrier’s 2018 mixed-media collage and acrylic painting, "La Cage; ne cherchez plus mon cœur, les bêtes l’ont mangé". There’s this hauntingly beautiful portrait…but her face is obscured by comic book panels. What does that juxtaposition mean to you? Curator: This piece, for me, is a potent commentary on the constraints placed on women in contemporary society. Chevrier cleverly uses the traditionally male-dominated imagery of comic books as a mask, obscuring the female subject. The title itself—"Don't look for my heart anymore, the beasts have eaten it"—is so evocative of vulnerability. How do the comic book panels interact with the realistic portrayal of the eyes, do you think? Editor: The eyes are so striking! They're realistic, soulful almost, contrasting the fragmented comic book visuals. It’s like they’re peering out from behind this constructed, almost aggressive, facade. Curator: Exactly! The "cage" isn't a literal one, but a societal one. Comic books, often associated with idealized and sometimes unrealistic representations of masculinity and femininity, act as a metaphor for the often conflicting expectations women face. What impact do the phrases bursting through the comic-panel mask have? Editor: There's "Snkt!" and "Chomp!" amidst what looks like dialogue bubbles. They sound… violent, almost animalistic. Is the artist perhaps talking about the consuming nature of those societal pressures? Curator: Precisely. The aggressive language and imagery layered onto a traditionally beautiful portrait force us to confront the ways external forces attempt to shape and often devour a woman's true self. The artist asks us to consider who creates and enforces the standards of female identity in the modern world. And who benefits? Editor: Wow, I hadn’t thought of it that way. It’s more than just a pretty picture; it’s a real statement. Curator: Absolutely. Chevrier uses visually striking art to provoke dialogue, challenging viewers to reflect on the complex realities of being a woman today.